History of MKCA:
The summer of 2002 in Chicago was like most other summers, sizzling with all types of outdoor summer activities. Like many previous summers, Konkan lover Dr. Austin D’Souza’s thoughts were also sizzling with the burning desire and dream of gathering Mangalorean Konkans under one umbrella to preserve and promote Christian and Konkan culture, tradition and values, in this adopted land. As the first step in realizing his dream he invited the members of Kala Sampath Cultural Association and other accessible Mangaloreans to celebrate Monthi Fest on September 7, 2002, as a community of Mangalorean Konkan Christians. The Kala Sampath Cultural Association had successfully arranged programs like, Konkani Folk Dance and Cultural shows at esteemed Chicago International Cultural Festivals and several other Community functions. Dr. Prabhu’s idea to celebrate Monthi Fest as a community, struck a cord among Konkani lovers. Dr. Austin D’Souza Prabhu took the lead to publicize this event in www.DaijiDubai.com - famous website of the Gulf for Konkani lovers, www.mangalorean.com webcasted from the US, in Broadview Kala Sampath Lions Club website (developed by Anil D’Souza, son of Dr. Prabhu) and all other websites and news media.

Although the response was slow at first, there was growing optimism as days passed by. Gradually the momentum for Monthi Fest celebration accelerated in a spectacular manner, ushered by the unequivocal support of Konkan lovers, especially, Members of Kala Sampath Cultural Association, and several other individuals and families.

“Monthi Fest” (the traditional Konkani Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady, September 8), which was also the first gathering for the express purpose of planning the formation of an association of Konkani speaking Christians, was celebrated on 7-SEP-2002, in Villa Park, Illinois, USA. The gathering consisted of about thirty families totaling about eighty adults and children. Konkani lovers present at the Monthi Fest celebration were mesmerized by activities such as the Konkani Mass, Konkani hymns, flower throwing ceremony by the little children, and the genuine ‘meeting of minds’ and spirits of Konkani lovers during the entire program. The members of this evolving association provided wonderful Indian style dinner to the Konkani enthusiasts present. Main menu of the dinner was home prepared by James and Rita Saldanha and her extended family. The Mangalorean style snacks were provided by other families involved in organizing this program.

The overwhelming success of this program strongly suggested to the Konkani lovers gathered at Monthi Fest, that these kind of cultural activities are paramount to preserving and promoting Mangalorean Konkani culture and should be continued. There was tremendous enthusiasm resulting in a unanimous decision towards a proposal for starting a formal association of Mangalorean Konkan Christians. A meeting was proposed to be held during the following week. Amazed by the conviction of the Konkan lovers present, Mrs. & Mr. Lawrence Mascarenhas volunteered to sponsor the first meeting, for the purpose of forming the association at their residence.

On Saturday, 14-SEP-2003, the first formal meeting was held at the home of Mrs. & Mr. Larry Mascarenhas, in Des Plaines, Illinois, USA. About a dozen families were represented with a total attendance of about twenty members. The hosts sponsored the meeting by providing food and facilities for a very effective meeting. The meeting started with a unanimous decision to form an ad-hoc committee through a process of nomination, election and selection to start the functions of the fledgling association. Members proposed Dr. Austin D’Souza Prabhu to preside over this committee, in view of his extensive experience and abilities in several leadership roles in other associations primarily the Lions Club. Other unanimous nominations were, Ms. Jacintha (Stella) D’Souza to the position of Vice- President, Mr. Lawrence Mascarenhas to the position of Secretary, and Mr. Godwin Rego to the position of Treasurer. Mrs. Queenie Mendonca was elected as a Public Relations representative of the committee. Dr. Frank Dias’ innovative ideas with regard to the difficult task of reaching out to and attracting youth to participate in the Association struck a cord of harmony towards the preservation and promotion of this fledgling Association, and upon insistence by the members present, he agreed tentatively to be the Youth Advisor & Liaison for the Association. Mr. Stany D’Souza was subsequently appointed and elected as the Chairman of the Constitution and By-Laws Committee.

An extensive brainstorming process was conducted to provide a tentative name for the Association. Of about fifteen names suggested, the name, “Mangalorean Konkan Christian Association” (MKCA-USA) was unanimously adopted. Dr. Austin Prabhu informed the committee that he would work towards the design of a logo and letter-head for the Association, hereinafter referred to as the MKCA-USA or simply MKCA. Several members have provided extensive “behind-the-screen” support, for various functions and committees relating to hospitality, membership drive, organization of meetings and functions, food preparation etc.

The generosity and enthusiasm of Mrs. & Mr. Mascarenhas who sponsored the initial meeting and two subsequent meetings by providing the venue, food and facilities, provided great momentum and support to the strengthening of the fledgling Association, and the Konkani lovers responded with their support. The process for growth of the MKCA had been effectively facilitated, and set in place. At one of these meetings, the members present unanimously agreed the following members to be called as “Founders of the Association”: Amarante Carvallo, Frank Dias, John Dias, Hilda Dias, Austin D’Souza Prabhu, Theresa D’Souza, Felix D’Souza, Lorraine D’Souza, Stany D’Souza, Vissia D’Souza, Stella Jacintha D’Souza, Julian D’Souza, James Fernandes, Alwyn Machado, Ligoury Martis, Leonilla Martis, Lawrence Mascarenhas, Edna Mascarenhas, Jossie Mendonca, Queenie Mendonca, Vinod Menezes, Maya Menezes, Godwin Rego, Dorothy Rego, James Saldanha and Rita Saldanha.

As a first venture of this newly formed association (MKCA), it was decided to celebrate “Nathal Fest” (The Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, or Christmas), as its inaugural activity. All members participating in Nathal Fest preparations were filled with renewed spirit and enthusiasm and they all volunteered to take up the charge of an activity or food item for the event. It was decided to distribute Kuswar during the program. The Committee decided to have mass in Konkani. Dr. Frank Dias took the charge of leading the Choir group. Mrs. Queenie Mendonca took up the charge of drumming-up the publicity for this function. The committee unanimously proclaimed that their mission is, “To maintain, cultivate, promote, and preserve Christian and Konkani heritage, culture, tradition, and language. To instill and nurture the educational and professional development of the younger generation”.

On 21-Dec-2002, Nathal Fest was celebrated by MKCA members, and guests with great pomp. There were about 40 families consisting of about on hundred adults or youngsters and twenty children. The program was inaugurated by Holy Mass conducted in Konkani and English by Fr. Jerry D’Souza. The choir and community sang hymns and carols in Konkani, English and Latin. A variety of games were/was conducted by Mrs. Queenie Mendonca, and Housie-Housie was conducted by Dr. Austin D’Souza Prabhu. There were impromptu Konkani songs sung by the MKCA members. Mr. Alwyn Machado humored everyone with jokes and filled the hall with laughter. Ms. Seema Kamath’s Classical Dance performance thrilled the audience. By this time food was on everyone’s mind, and the performers and participants alike savored the delicious multi-ethnic dinner prepared and arranged by the organizers and members. Everyone present received a packet of Kuswar and Holy water of Lourdes Grotto, France, compliments of MKCA organizers.

The MKCA members and guests sung Christmas Carols beginning with ‘Jingle Bells’. Then came the Santa Claus (Mr. Ligoury Martis) with his gifts, and, cheered on by "...kids from one to ninety-two..." rekindled the spirits of children and adults alike. The entire program was enlivened with music by DJ Nil (Anil D’Souza). In keeping with the proud heritage of the Mangalorean Konkan Christian culture, the program concluded with the joyous singing of the “Laudate Dominum”. The MKCA had successfully re-enacted the glorious days of Christmas in the land of our birth, and committed itself to passing on the legacy of our ancestors in the great land of India, to our children in this great land of our adoption., the USA, and then to the world.

(Summary prepared by Mr. Stany D’Souza and Late Dr. Frank Dias, based on info by MKCA)